Job Discussion Forums

Bounder · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Nanjing, China

>Hi, I'm in my 3rd year with the same school here in Nanjing but I've decided I must leave for home early for personal reasons. It's ok with the school and the only penalty I'll incur is that i won t be reimbursed for my flight. So instead of my contract ending on June 30th, it now ends on March 31st.
Someone told me (this person who said this is 'not' an expert on Chinese visa laws) that because it ends on March 31st now and my flight doens't leave until April 4th, that I will be charged for staying late for 4 days. Hope not, of course. My original visa does say that it's valid until June 20th. Is she right about this? Doesn't my original visa date count in my favour as to whether or not I have overstayed?
Thanks, Bounder

Yu · Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 1219 Location: Shanghai

I would think that is the case, but I am no expert.

bendan · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 739 Location: North China

Your visa tells you how long you can stay, unless you are formally told otherwise by the PSB.

Bounder · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Nanjing, China

Thanks folks.
Bounder

chinaboytian · Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Tianjin

The last time I checked, which was a long time, if you overstay your visa date, they will detain you at the border and you will be charged 500 kuai for each day you have overstayed. Just one more way the Chinese make a dollar ha ha.

Plan B · Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 266 Location: Shenzhen

I don't think there will be a problem.

Each province has its own set of rules, but in Guangdong, you can stay until the date that your visa expires.

In the case of a cancelled visa in your passport (under the old system), you surrender your residence permit as you leave - again, no massive problems, but often a lot of confusion. I was in this situation once.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I supppose you have now a RESIDENCE PERMIT, and it alone decides how long you can stay legally in China! Please, check that, and no person can alter it, not even the PSB! They can only cancel it, but they can't do that without getting your passport in their hands!

If you can live with the forfeiture of your airfare, it sounds as though you are a reasonable person; just for your in formation, you could have your airfare prorated (and that's normally done when someone is leaving early and this departure is mututally agreed upon).

Of course, it can take care of your penalty. But if the latter is lower than your airfare dues, then I for one would negotiate for the balance to be paid out to you!